What are we to do about the transience, the change, the uncertainties of life?
These are things we all experience, aren’t they. We are all looking for some permanence, something to build our lives on, something that allows us to find what we are seeking.
We are all looking for permanence in our relation to God, is this permanence really possible?
Daniel Webster offered excellent advice as to where we find this, saying,
If we work on marble it will perish.
If we work on brass, time will erase it.
If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust.
But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we give them high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot erase, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.
God actually wants permanent, lasting, ongoing fellowship and relationship with you, not repeated and temporary atonement through sacrifice and vicarious representation.
Because He is greater than temporary sacrifices, temporary places of worship, temporary access to God, Jesus brings permanence to all people.
Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 9.1-10
What does this mean for our lives now?
All the Christian things we do; go to church, read the Bible, serving, giving, praying, gathering, loving, it all connects us with God.
The parable of the old ways of doing things pointed to a time when we can do it like this (vv.8-10), where we can be we, the church, where we can do all of this stuff as regular, normal people because of what Jesus did for us.
Through faith in Him and His finished work on the cross and having Him as our great High Priest, we can enjoy permanent fellowship and relationship with God.
Permanence in our relation to God is available, and it is available through Jesus.
James Travis 